The artist says that when she spoke out three weeks ago, in a Washington Post opinion article, she hoped to give voice to other women who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by legendary comedian Bill Cosby. She says she wanted them to know they were not alone.

Since then, at least 16 others have gone public with accusations. Many of them offered similar stories about being drugged and raped, and said they were reluctant to talk earlier because they feared for their careers, their families or their own safety.

Three of Cosby's accusers, including Bowman, told CNN on Tuesday of having struggled and gained strength in solidarity.

"One of my main goals was to reach out to these women who didn't have the courage yet," said Bowman. "Seeing it in action is really intense."

While Cosby has not commented on the allegations, his camp has repeatedly and vigorously denied them.

In a recent statement, Cosby's lawyer Martin D. Singer said it defies common sense that "so many people would have said nothing, done nothing, and made no reports to law enforcement or asserted civil claims if they thought they had been assaulted over a span of so many years."

Victoria Valentino was a Playboy bunny when, she claims, Cosby drugged and raped her in the late 1960s. She called such denials "absolutely ridiculous," adding, "he's got a very good spin doctor."

Asked why it took her and others so long to come forward, Valentino said that "over the years, women didn't have a voice."

"Rape victims, sexual assault victims were victimized by the system," she told CNN's 'New Day.'"... We didn't believe in the system, because the system did not stand by us through things like this."

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